Fotograf Ken Pak

—Sind Sie fotogen?

—I never thought I was photogenic and never wanted to be photographed, however, I look pretty cute in the photos from my early childhood.

—Wie sind sind zur Fotografiebranche gekommen?

—It was a pretty natural transition for me becoming a wedding photographer as many of my friends were getting married when I started taking photos. Because of this, I never attended my friends' weddings as a groomsman or guest. Rather, I always photographed their weddings.

—Was macht Ihrer Meinung nach ein gutes Foto aus?

—Although most of photographers would talk about light, composition, creative approach, subject, emotional impact & etc. as vital components of a good photo, I think preparation for the day and understanding of the flow , environment and subject would help yielding a good photo. Although there are moments I take photos with anticipation, however, I love when I get good photos without anticipation.

—Reisen Sie gern?

—Yes, I love traveling for the photo projects including weddings, fun activities, personal inspiration by the life of the other side of the world, and to see the family (I am from South Korea).

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am meisten?

—Photography career can be highly rewarding. I feel truly blessed when I receive compliments and appreciation from the happy clients and people.

—Was gefällt Ihnen an Ihrem Beruf am wenigsten?

—Dealing with difficult personalities and awkward characters can be most challenging to me. However, I would rather stay positive and supportive to those nature.

—Was ist die Zukunft der Fotografie?

—For the next 5 years, another convergence of the medium will be coming like stills will be culled from 8k video footage. After another 5 years, I am pretty sure that there will always be needs for wedding photography regardless of the medium convergence.

—Was das Besondere an dem Fotografiegenre, auf das Sie sich spezialisiert haben?

—In technical term, I believe wedding photography can be practised as the collaborative work of wide range of photography types and styles. In human life, it is one of the greatest lifetime celebrations among families and friends, and I am so glad that I can capture many different levels of emotional impacts.

—Wie gehen Sie mit Kritik um?

—I would rather be modest and listen to the criticism if it is the matter of your growth and development process in your photography career and human relations. If you stay honest, humble and positive, there will be lesser criticism.

—Gibt es irgendwelche Trends in der Fotografie?

—Yes, there are trends in wedding photography just like fashion industry, however, I also see there is a range of diversity in wedding photography trends depending on traditions, lifestyle, regions & etc.

—Was sollten die Kriterien für Kunden bei der Wahl eines Fotografen sein?

—As a person photographing someone's lifetime event, trustworthy, fun and flexible nature in my personality come highly valuable and appreciative among my clients and people in the industry.

—Was ist bei Fotoaufnahmen strikt verboten?

—Unprofessional, snobbish & egoistic manner in professional & personal aspects.

—Welche Details werden häufig übersehen, die ein Fotograf aber erkennt?

—Artistic & creative approach. Also, freezing the moment, framing & composition.

—Was beeinflusst den Wert eines Fotos? Welche Elemente sind wichtig?

—Cherishing the memorable moments and people from generation to generation (or among generations). Also, capturing and archiving the history of person's life.

—Welche Person verkörpert für Sie das 21. Jahrhundert am besten?

—Big brothers in media.

—Was würden Sie gern fotografieren?

—I would like to continue photographing weddings, however, it will be interesting to photograph traditionally unique weddings in remote area not affected by the western culture.

—Gibt es für Sie in Ihrem Beruf Tabus?

—I would not want to spoil those wedding photographer wannabes. It takes so much of professional practice, thinking, attitude, training, study and experience. Don't believe in yourself as a professional shooter by just buying a good camera and shooting a few of your friends weddings.

—Mit wem würden Sie gern fotografieren?

—If I get a chance, I would love to shoot with those pulitzer winners who have not shot the weddings before. Also, shooting a wedding by side of any big names in the industry will be my great honor.

—Worüber machen Sie sich Sorgen und warum?

—Bridezilla and Groomzilla. Depending on the situations, people with difficult & demanding personalities to accommodate can be a real challenge. Also, theft and robbery (although I have not experienced before) during the sessions in uncontrolled areas. Being sick can be another big worrisome.

—Was war der eindrucksvollste Moment in Ihrem Leben?

—Three of my most tearful moments showing my love to my parents. I cried so much at the airport when I saw my dad leaving the state after seeing my college graduation (He supported me for 7 years in US for my high school and college, and returned to Korea permanently). I cried so much when I hugged my parents during my wedding ceremony. I cried so much when my dad was being cremated after the funeral ceremony.

—Welche literarische Figur oder Filmfigur wären Sie gern und warum?

—I would love to be Iron man, just to simply get the aerial shots. Also, seeing myself in the Iron man armor which is retrofitted with multiple super cameras will be amazing!

—Wer inspiriert Sie in Ihrem Leben und warum?

—Jesus Christ who keeps me being a better person.

—Wie definieren Sie Erfolg? Wie messen Sie ihn?

—In human perspective, if I have six good men who can carry my coffin at my own funeral, I consider that as a successful life. In business perspective, if I have no haters and no debt, that will be a successful life.

—Gefällt es Ihnen mehr, wenn man Sie mag oder wenn Sie respektiert werden?

—I would rather be liked.

—Was war der größte Fehler bei Ihrer Arbeit?

—Encountering a media failure by using cheap media card.

—Was nehmen Sie mit, wenn Sie auf Reisen gehen und warum?

—I will take my free & open spirit with me to enjoy the true traveling experience. If it is allowed, then I would love to travel with my wife and son. Of course, a small travel camera will definitely be accompanied with me.

—Haben Sie Apparate oder Ausrüstung, die Sie lieber nicht hätten kaufen sollen? Warum?

—Lytro Illum camera. I never use it. Is there anyone who is interested in this camera? ;)

—Wie bilden Sie sich weiter, damit Ihre Bilder noch besser werden?

—I try to read/watch/visit photography related or partially related magazines, books, movies, videos (I love watching K pop music videos to learn techniques), art galleries/museums & etc. From these experiences, I love incorporating my new ideas and creative thinking in the actual shoots by hopefully getting faster spontaneous responsiveness to the moments. Also, I go to conferences and seminars, and get connected with a wide range of cool photographers from different parts of the world. Also, I shoot together with a few of my local photographers time to time for cross-inspiring and training purposes at the real weddings.

—Welche Arbeiten haben Sie als Fotografen am meisten beeindruckt?

—Hmmm... I would say photographers in WPJA Winners Collections, Fearless Photographers Award Collections and ISPWP Award Collections have influenced me the most. I am sorry to tell you that I love all the winners, not the single one, as I admire their work so much! Also, I give a full respect to those photographers who push themselves to the infinity over creative limits.

—Was hätten Sie auf jeden Fall wissen müssen, als Sie mit der Fotografie begannen?

—I really wish I knew a real good mentor when I started taking photos. I have had neither a mentor nor had worked for a studio during my photography career. Also, I did not have any good friend photographers until I met most of them during the past 1.5 years.

—Was möchten Sie mit Ihren Fotos zum Ausdruck bringen?

—They are fun, animated, compassionate, witty, unique, hardworking, modern, artistic, imaginative, quirky, and yet most importantly, story telling with my true spirit.

—Was motiviert Sie weiterzumachen?

—My family the most. Also, undiscovered world of photography intrigues me to challenge myself in the upcoming future. Accolades can be bonus.

—Hätten Ihre Eltern strenger sein müssen?

—Less strict. Matter of fact, my mom bought me my first point-n-shoot camera when I was the fifth grade. They are always supportive and respectful to my decision, but I had to be very responsible to my decision.

—Wenn Sie zurückschauen, was hätten Sie besser machen können?

—I would go to a renowned college of art to inspire myself with in-depth fine art. I studied Environmental Science instead. Also, I would continue playing badminton, so I could have competed in Olympics (one of my teammates from the same school team won a gold medal in Atlanta Olympic games).

—Was halten Sie vom Leben auf anderen Planeten?

—I am going to ask God about it.

—Wer sind Ihre Helden?

—Whoever influences me to become a better person.

—Wovor haben Sie keinerlei Respekt?

—People who commit sins without repent afterwards.

—Was tun Sie in Ihrer Freizeit?

—Planning something ahead that would or would not happen, but it is always fun to do it. I do normal things that the normal people would do during the spare time.

—Welche Seite Ihrer Persönlichkeit bleibt dem Publikum verborgen?

—When I am doing post production work at home, I am normally in underwears as it happens to be very comfortable and free to myself.

—Wann sind Sie mit Ihrer Arbeit in jeder Hinsicht zufrieden?

—When I hear back from my clients with lots of compliments and appreciation after they get the final release. Also, accolades are bonus to my satisfaction, but I consider myself always being in learning curve.

—Glauben Sie an die traditionellen Rollen von Mann und Frau?

—Yes, I am in terms of marriage and family, however, roles are always subject to change based on the modern lifestyle. As long as we love each other, traditional roles are not biggie in our lives.

—Schließen Sie schnell Freundschaft?

—Yes, however, it can take significant amount of time to become their best friends. I would rather be their best friends than making them my best friends.

—Wo würden Sie gern leben?

—I would like to live in one Korea upon unification of North & South Korea. Other than US and Korea, I would also consider living any parts around the world needing any of my contribution.

—Was war das Dümmste, auf das Sie sich je eingelassen haben?

—Sharing a studio space with a wedding dress/floral shop. I would never do a business with anyone in the same space.

—Gibt es ein Leben nach der Heirat?

—Sure thing! Your lifetime companion and kids are enough to make a dramatic change in your life after marriage.

—Haben Sie einen Lieblingswitz? Erzählen Sie ihn.

—My wife and my son give me all kinds of silly talk, and I always return with a joke. Too many to list.

—Lieben Sie Hunde oder Katzen?

—We used to have a jack russell terrier and a mix dog for over 12 years. They both passed aways a few years ago, but they always stay remained in our hearts. We are planning to have one soon.

—Wen oder was hassen Sie?

—Business partners with betrayal, lies and unacceptable manner. I can't tolerate those people, and can't deal with them anymore as it happens to be the worst time in my life.

—Das Beste im Leben ist:

—When my son was born.

—Das Ärgerlichste im Leben ist:

—Dealing with business partners and friends who betrayed me.

—Gibt es etwas in Ihrem Umfeld, das Sie ändern möchten?

—I would like to redesign my website, restart blogging, and keep up everything in timely manner.

—Was würden Sie an sich selbst gern ändern?

—I need to put something on when I am working at home.
Seriously, I need to reshape my body.

—Was würden Sie in der Welt ändern?

—Get rid of terrorists and dictators, and provide aids to those who are in desperate life situation.

—Haben Sie ein paar Tipps für angehende Fotografen?

—Learn, practise and gain lots of experience to become a true artist, not a person with a good show-off camera. Most importantly, try to understand what this day means to the wedded couple and people at the wedding, and your role there.

—Wenn Außerirdische auf der Erde ankommen und Sie sind die erste Person, die sie treffen, was sagen Sie zu ihnen?

—"Do you need a photographer to document your landing and presence? The session will be free, however, you need to sign a media release form." LOL

—Angenommen Sie erhalten den Auftrag, einen Film aufzunehmen. Welches Genre würden Sie für den Film wählen?

—I would like to photograph an epic love story, war and drama.

—Morgen werde ich...

—Tomorrow, I will go to a wedding and photograph the most amazing day of someone's life.